The Ladies Work-Book | Page 2

stitch from the point of the left-hand needle.
[Illustration: PLAIN KNITTING.]
When knitted and purled stitches occur in the same row, the thread must be brought forward before a purled stitch, and taken back before a knitted one.
[Illustration: THE GERMAN MANNER.]
TO MAKE A STITCH. Bring the thread in front, as if for a purled stitch, so that when you knit one the thread will pass over the needle, and will make a hole in the following row. This diagram shows the manner of making three stitches, and any other number could be made, by putting the thread round a proportionate number of times. In the engraving it will be seen that the thread is put twice entirely round the needle; and then brought forward, so that the next knitted stitch will take it over a third time. In doing the next row, knit one, purl one, knit one of these stitches; however many are made, they must be alternately knitted and purled in the next row. When the stitch allowing the made stitches is to be purled, the thread must be entirely passed round the needle, once for every stitch to be made, and brought forward also.
[Illustration: PURLING.]
[Illustration: TO MAKE A STITCH.]
SLIP STITCH.--Pass a stitch from the left needle to the right, without knitting it. There are two ways of decreasing: first, by knitting two, three, or more stitches as one, marked in knitting, as k 2 t, k 3 t, etc. Secondly, in the following way: slip one stitch, knit-one, pass the slip stitch over: this decreases one stitch. To decrease two; slip one, knit two together, pass the slip stitch over.
[Illustration: TO TAKE UP STITCHES.]
A reverse stitch is taken off the left-hand needle, in the reverse way to knitting and purling. In both these, the right-hand needle is inserted in the middle of the stitch, and the point brought out towards you or otherwise. But to make a reverse stitch, you insert the point of the needle in the stitch at the back of the work, and bring it forward through the opening in which it generally is inserted. The thread is to be placed round it, as for a purled stitch.
[Illustration: TO KNIT TWO PIECES TOGETHER.]
To reverse two, three, or more stitches together, insert the needle in them all at once, from the last to the first.
TO TAKE UP STITCHES.--Insert the needle in the loop, pass the thread round, and knit it in the usual manner. Do not draw out any loop more than can be avoided, while knitting it.
TO KNIT TWO PIECES TOGETHER.--To do this there must be an equal number of stitches on both.
[Illustration: TO FORM A ROUND.]
Hold the needles together in the right hand, and knit as usual, inserting the left-hand needle in a loop of each at the same time, and treating the two as one.
[Illustration: TO CAST OFF.]
TO FORM A ROUND:--This diagram represents the French manner of performing this process by casting the whole number of stitches on one needle, and then distributing them on three, or perhaps four. But the English mode is to divide the number of stitches, and cast so many on each needle, not withdrawing the last stitch of each needle from the point of the next needle. When all are cast on, the round is made by knitting the two first stitches on to the last needle. Four needles are employed for stockings, five for doyleys and other round articles.
To cast off:--knit two stitches, insert the point of the left hand needle in the first stitch, and draw it on the other. Knit another stitch, and treat these two in the same way.
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INFANT'S SHOE, IN KNITTING.
MATERIALS.--1 ounce of white Berlin wool. 1 skein of white, and 1 of embroidery wool, 4 knitting needles, No. 21, and 2, No. 19.
With the fine needles cast 30 stitches on one, and 20 on each of two others. Join into a round, and purl one round.
[Illustration: INFANT'S SHOE, IN KNITTING]
1st pattern round: X slip 2, taking them off the needle in the same way as if you were going to purl them, but with the wool at the back; knit 3. X repeat all round.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds: the same.
5th and 6th: purl every stitch.
7th to 10th inclusive: X knit 3, slip 2 as before, X repeat all round, 11th and 12th purled.
13th to 16th inclusive: X knit 2, slip 2 as before, knit 1, X repeat all round.
17th and 18th purled. Repeat these 18 rounds again.
Then do the same twice more; but, instead of knitting three stitches, always decrease by knitting two together (once) on the needle that has the thirty stitches in every row which is not plainly purled, until only twelve stitches are left on it.
When 72 rounds are done, the boot will be sufficiently